The first step in simplifying this expression is to identify which, if any, terms can be combined. Remember, only like terms — constant terms or terms with the same variable — can be combined.
( -3.5x+ 1.7)+( 9.1x - 0.3)In this case, we have two x-terms and two constants. Let's arrange the like terms in columns. Then, let's perform the addition.
& -3.5 x +1.7
&+ 9.1 x - 0.3
& 5.6 x +1.4
Therefore, we get the following result.
(-3.5x + 1.7)+(9.1x-0.3) = 5.6x + 1.4
